From the Principal’s Desk: Hope for Change

What I would like mostly to happen to Lupon Vocational High School is always soaring high to its excellence in both academic and technical aspects.

In my three years of leading the school, there were many times I was confused where to start and what to start with. Sometimes, I asked myself: How can I improved the school? How can I make her competitive? How can I convince the teachers and personnel to help me improve the school? How can I create closeness to these people? Do they feel what I felt? Do they hear what I say? How can I be responsible in running the school? These are many more questions that bothered me most in order to ease my mind, I purposely ponder that our work in this world is our mission. We are created by God intended to work as a source of living.

My undertakings was began in my first year of assuming the school's responsibilities. It all started when I discovered a potential teacher, I see her talent, I begin thinking hoe can I help shape her into a shining star. She is very resourceful she tried to apply through Internet the "Search for the first Philippine Innovative Teachers Leadership award" sponsored by the Partners in Learning through Microsoft Philippines SY 2005 .Luckily, her entry passed that qualified her to the said competition held at Cebu City and the result was, she was one of the finalists in that leadership award entire Philippines. When she returned to school, she received praises and shed her talents to teachers. Presently, she is known to our school as ICT coordinator, to the Division and even to the Regional Level. She serves as trainer in ICT. She is Shirley Z. Paran, Math teacher in our school.

Another batch of trainers came again from our school, when Mrs. Candida C. Mejos, Education Supervisor I in Values, approached me that the first batch of BEAM trainers will come from our school. Again I sent Evelyn Macarona from LVHS - Annex B and Mrs Elfleda C. Dionio from the main. Come next in the third year batch Jo-Ann C. Josol also was chosen and passed the screening as BEAM trainer in thrid year Science. Vocational teachers also where sent to trainings to TESDA and some of them passed the ASSESSORS ASSESSMENT LICENSURE and same time they were invited as trainers/judges in skills competition. With the involvement of these teachers in different trainings, their potentials where developed and become assets of the school.

I remembered when Ma'am Thelma Almario - District II Congresswoman, gave me a copy of her speech during the Davao Oriental 40th Foundation with the title, " In Setting Further Thousand Miles Journey". I was impressed with the content of it. According to her a person cannot reach a thousand miles journey of achievements without taking the first step and finish the journey. This really touches my experiences while I am on the way to my adventure, I am also learning to do the job that achievements will really begin from the bottom until it will reach the top. And this can be done if school heads has leadership to manage a team. work with them harmoniously, acquainting themselves with the dreams, thoughts, hopes, opinions and values.

Best school managers are readers of people, they understand what they feel and recognize what they sense. And this is true to my experienced, had it not been to my openness to the teachers development, giving them freedom to uplift themselves in their own field.

I think our school is still a like a lake without running water. These teachers are now fully utilized to improve a student's performance.

For me, its fun and enjoyable to work in a place where people are always hoping for change. Hope is the only way to create improvements. God has a specific purpose and plans that we need to be sensitive. Whatever mission intended for us, we must make the most of our given skills and talents. I just pray to Allah, that He may give me good health strength, and guide me in my right direction to overcome sometimes failure in life to forgive people who make always excuses, complaints and especially those who do not accept their mistakes.

For me, nothing compares to the joy and fulfillment of going through life with people who are your friend, whom you can laugh with, understanding and most of all committed to service.

"Remember you will not always win, some days, the most resourceful individual will taste defeat. But in their case, there is always tomorrow after you have done your best to achieve success today", Maxwell Maltz.

-Fatimar R. Macarona-